Maryland Terrapins
at
Journeymen Collegiate Classic
November 9, 2025
Freedom High School, Bethlehem, Pa.
9:00 a.m.
FloWrestling
Watch
COLLEGE PARK, MD – The Maryland wrestling crew continues its 2025-26 marketing campaign this Sunday, November 9, on the Journeymen Collegiate Classic, hosted at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pa.
Sixteen Terrapins are slated to compete within the distinctive round-robin type event. Unlike conventional bracket codecs, the ten weight courses are divided into a number of teams, that are then cut up into two swimming pools, Pool A and Pool B.
Within every pool, wrestlers will face off in mini round-robin tournaments. The competitor with the perfect document in every pool will advance to wrestle for that group’s championship.
Action begins at 9 a.m. and can proceed all through the day.
Fans can watch and comply with reside protection on FloWrestling.
Terrapins registered to compete:
Strong First Weekend
- Branson John Dominates to Win 197 Title:
- Maryland wrestling opened the 2025-26 marketing campaign with a powerful crew efficiency on the Southeast Open, led by Branson John’s championship run at 197 kilos. The redshirt junior was in prime kind from begin to end, recording 4 straight bonus-point victories en path to the title. John opened his day with a technical fall and a dominant main resolution earlier than defeating two nationally ranked opponents to say the highest. He took down No. 29 Gavin Nelson (Minnesota) within the semifinals and capped off the event with a formidable win over No. 27 Rune Lawrence (West Virginia) within the finals. His breakout efficiency not solely earned him the event crown but additionally propelled him into the nationwide rankings for the primary time this season, debuting at No. 22 by FloWrestling and No. 16 by InterMat.
- Multiple Terps Place Across Divisions:
- The Terrapins showcased their depth throughout all weight courses on the Southeast Open, incomes a number of podium finishes in each the Open and Freshman/Sophomore divisions.
- Braxton Brown (133) continued to construct with a powerful runner-up end within the Open Division. Brown opened the day with three straight victories, together with a 13-0 main resolution within the semifinals, earlier than falling to Virginia Tech’s Dillon Campbell within the championship bout.
- At heavyweight, Oscar Williams (285 Freshman/Sophomore) additionally reached the finals after a formidable 4-1 day that featured three bonus-point victories.
- Dario Lemus (141) battled by a tricky discipline to say third place, incomes three wins capped by a serious resolution within the comfort remaining. At 125 kilos, Abram Cline (Freshman/Sophomore) pieced collectively a superb run to the finals, securing three straight resolution victories earlier than ending as runner-up.
- In the 197 Freshman/Sophomore division, Sepanta Ahanj-Elias earned a fifth-place end, closing his event with a 12-4 main resolution over Campbell’s Sawyer Vanrider. Fellow freshman Tyler Garvin (125) additionally battled again for fifth, rallying by the comfort bracket to attain an 11-10 comeback victory over VMI’s Malachi Ortiz.
- Ranked Terps Shine Early:
- The Terps enter the second weekend of the season with 5 wrestlers ranked nationally throughout the key polls. Braxton Brown (133) stays firmly within the prime ten, checking in at No. 10 by each FloWrestling and InterMat, whereas Jaxon Smith (184) continues to carry regular among the many nation’s elite at No. 5 in each rankings. Dario Lemus (141) and Branson John (197) make their season debuts within the nationwide polls after robust Southeast Open performances — Lemus sits at No. 28 (FloWrestling) and No. 26 (InterMat), whereas John enters at No. 22 (FloWrestling) and No. 16 (InterMat). Dom Solis (174) additionally cracks the nationwide dialog, incomes a spot at No. 31 (FloWrestling) following a strong begin to his senior marketing campaign.
Maryland wrestling opened the 2025-26 marketing campaign with a powerful crew efficiency on the Southeast Open, led by Branson John’s championship run at 197 kilos.
2024–25 Season Recap
- In 2024–25, the Terps posted certainly one of their most profitable seasons since becoming a member of the Big Ten. Maryland set program information for factors and particular person placers on the Big Ten Championships, recorded its highest crew end, and achieved probably the most regular-season twin wins in program historical past. Key highlights included a win over No. 10 Michigan — the primary over a top-10 opponent since Nov. 20, 2009.
- At the NCAA Championships, Maryland matched its highest crew level whole and end since 2014. Jaxon Smith earned All-American honors with a sixth-place end at 184 kilos, marking this system’s first All-American since 2019. The Terps certified six wrestlers for the NCAA Championships, probably the most since 2012, together with Braxton Brown, Branson John, and Jaxon Smith, whereas setting a brand new program document for Big Ten twin victories.
Jaxon Smith earned All-American honors with a sixth-place end at 184 kilos in 2025.
Returning Impact
- Maryland returns a core of wrestlers who had been NCAA qualifiers in 2025, together with Braxton Brown, Branson John, and Jaxon Smith. They are anticipated to supply management and continuity for the 2025–26 season.
- Braxton Brown returns as a three-time NCAA qualifier (2023–25) and certainly one of Maryland’s constant performers. He completed the 2024–25 season with a 24–6 general document, advancing to the Round of 16 on the NCAA Championships because the No. 9 seed. In twin competitors, he posted an 18–1 document, together with 7–1 in Big Ten matches, with eight main selections, 4 technical falls, and two pins. At the Big Ten Championships, Brown positioned fifth, together with sudden-victory wins over Dylan Shawver and Jacob Van Dee. He additionally completed second on the 2024 Tiger Style Invite and secured victories over ranked opponents Anthony Noto (Lock Haven), Kurt Phipps (Bucknell), and Shawver (Rutgers). Following the season, Brown obtained each the John C. McHugh Coach’s Award and the Hudson Taylor Award.
- Branson John returns after a freshman season that included nationwide recognition and postseason expertise. He completed the season 14–19 and positioned sixth on the 2025 Big Ten Championships, defeating higher-seeded wrestlers together with Clayton Whiting (Minnesota), Jackson Turley (Rutgers), and Brody Baumann (Purdue). In twin matches, John recorded wins over Michigan’s Joseph Walker and Rutgers’ Turley, and a pin in opposition to Lock Haven’s Avery Bassett. He started his collegiate profession with a win in his twin debut in opposition to Kent State’s Hunter Andel and positioned fourth on the 2024 Tiger Style Invite. John was additionally named an NWCA Scholar All-American.
- Jaxon Smith returns as a three-time NCAA qualifier and three-time Big Ten placer. He earned All-American honors in 2025 with a sixth-place end at 184 kilos — the primary for Maryland since 2019 and the primary underneath head coach Alex Clemsen. Smith ended the 2024–25 season 24–10, tied for the crew lead in wins, with 9 victories by resolution, six by main resolution, 5 pins, and 4 technical falls. At the NCAA Championships, he secured All-American standing with a 4–2 victory over D.J. Parker (Oklahoma) and defeated Silas Allred (Nebraska) 8–1 for a top-six end. Smith positioned fourth on the Big Ten Championships, together with wins over Gabe Arnold (Iowa) and Allred, and defeated ranked opponents Reece Heller (Pittsburgh), Jaden Bullock (Michigan), Edmond Ruth (Illinois), and Shane Cartangia-Walsh (Rutgers) through the common season. He opened his junior marketing campaign 8–0, successful six matches by bonus factors, and claimed the George Mason Patriot Open title over two ranked opponents, together with No. 9 Chris Foca (Cornell). Smith additionally earned a bronze medal on the 2025 U23 Pan-American Championships and was runner-up on the U23 Nationals. He obtained a number of honors, together with Maryland Male Medal of Honor, Maryland Student-Athlete of the Year, Hudson Taylor Award, Maryland Most Outstanding Wrestler, and NWCA Scholar All-American.
Braxton Brown returns as a three-time NCAA qualifier (2023–25) and certainly one of Maryland’s constant performers.
New Faces in College Park
- Maryland added seven freshmen and one switch for the 2025–26 season.
- Chase Horne, a redshirt junior switch from NC State, competed at each heavyweight (285 lbs) and 197 lbs over three seasons. In 2023–24, he wrestled solely at heavyweight, posting a 13–6 document, together with a number of first-period pins to begin the season. Horne competed in 4 tournaments and earned recognition off the mat, together with the ACC Dr. Pepper Go Teach Scholarship, All-ACC Academic Team, and ACC Academic Honor Roll.
- Garrett Reece joins Maryland after a highschool profession at Regis Jesuit High School (CO). A 2024 Colorado State Champion, Reece completed his senior season 47–1 and was Fargo Greco-Roman Runner-Up in 2024. He additionally was a two-time state finalist and 2023 state runner-up. Reece will compete at 157 kilos.
- Ryan Kennedy arrives from SPIRE Academy (OH), the place he ranked No. 16 nationally at his weight by FloWrestling and No. 235 general in MatScouts senior rankings. Kennedy was a 2025 U20 U.S. Open All-American (seventh), 2025 Escape the Rock Champion, NHSCA Senior Runner-Up, and positioned eighth on the 2024 Powerade Tournament.